Brain aneurysms are a swelling of an artery in the brain that can lead to stroke or death. Symptoms include severe headaches, visual disturbances, mental difficulties, and discomfort. Seek medical attention if headaches are accompanied by vomiting, seizures, or vision changes.
A brain aneurysm is a bumpy swelling of an artery in the brain that develops over time. If a brain aneurysm ruptures or leaks, it can lead to a stroke or even death. About one in 15 people in the United States will be treated for a brain aneurysm. Signs of a brain aneurysm often include headaches, eye problems, mental difficulties, and discomfort.
The main signs of a brain aneurysm include severe headaches that appear suddenly. A person with a brain aneurysm can experience a migraine that is far more severe than any headache experienced before. Such an acute migraine is an important symptom of a ruptured aneurysm. These types of headaches are known as prodromal headaches because they serve as a warning for a brain aneurysm.
About 50 percent of individuals who develop a ruptured aneurysm will experience some type of warning headache before a rupture. On average, a person will experience a severe headache two weeks before a breakup. A person who develops an unbearable migraine should seek medical treatment, as it could be an indication of a ruptured aneurysm. About half of the cases of ruptured aneurysms result in death.
Signs of a brain aneurysm also include visual disturbances, such as sensitivity to light, a dilated pupil, and the inability to move the eyes in any direction. Other visual difficulties may include blurred vision or double vision, discomfort above and behind the eye, and a droopy eyelid. A person may experience visual field deficits, which prevent an individual from seeing things that are in the visual field.
In addition to a headache, signs of a ruptured brain aneurysm can include nausea and vomiting, neck pain, and loss of sensation. A quarter of individuals with ruptured aneurysms will experience seizures. Often, however, before an aneurysm bursts, a person may not experience any symptoms.
In less than half of the cases of patients with unruptured aneurysms, patients will experience some type of mental difficulty. This can include difficulty remembering things, loss of concentration, and difficulty understanding. Other signs of a brain aneurysm can include fatigue, loss of balance, and trouble speaking.
A person should see a doctor if the headache is linked to other symptoms including vomiting, dizziness, seizures, and vision changes. Aneurysms can also occur during times of stress or physical exertion. A determination of an aneurysm is made with a CT scan.
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